Over 80 delegates, staff and guests were in attendance at the CUPE Western Municipal Workers Conference in Saskatoon, an increase of about 30 for the previous year.
Delegates from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan reported on the situation in their communities, the challenges they face and their strategy for action. British Columbia representatives were unable to attend because the B.C. Division convention was being held at the same time.
Paul Moist, a CUPE General VP and president of Local 500 lead discussions on the threats to municipal jobs and services posed by Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), as well as other contracting out and privatization ventures being pushed by municipal politicians and corporations.
The convention will be held in Winnipeg next year.